Chapter 163

Chapter 163

"Girl, why are you here again?"

This outburst stunned everyone present. Zhang Yiran, knowing he could not stop it, collapsed to his knees.

Li Zong stared at Luo Wanqing, puzzled. "Didn't Luo... Luo Wanqing die? Liu Xiniang, what do you mean by that?"

"Your Majesty," Luo Wanqing replied clearly and calmly, "my father was imprisoned due to Zheng Pingsheng's false accusations. I was sentenced to exile in Ling Nan. To seek justice, I swapped identities with the condemned prisoner Liu Xiniang in prison and entered the Supervision Division under this guise."

"Absurd!" Li Zong shouted angrily. "You changed your identity, and the Supervision Division didn't notice?!"

"Liu Xiniang was disfigured from torture in prison. To swap identities, I staged an accident by colliding with a fire basin, disfiguring myself so that I would be unrecognizable." Luo Wanqing explained calmly. Everyone stared blankly at her face as she continued, "Later, I found someone skilled who helped me restore my original appearance under the pretext of a mission."

Saying "under the pretext of a mission," Li Zong knew well that this mission was assigned by the Supervision Division—or rather, by him.

At that time, Li Guiyu had just returned, and Li Zong desperately wanted the Supervision Division to send someone to investigate his son, whose background was unknown.

Luo Wanqing had spared his face, and he wouldn't expose her either.

He digested her words, pondered for a moment, and then said carefully, "So you stayed in the Supervision Division just to avenge your father?"

"Yes," Luo Wanqing answered decisively. "My family saved the Third Prince from danger, yet we ended up destitute and scattered. I feel guilty towards my parents and family. No matter what, I want to clear my father's name and seek justice for my family."

"So you abused your authority and used the power of the Supervision Division to handle your personal case?"

Li Zong stared at Luo Wanqing, his tone filled with displeasure.

Xie Heng was about to speak, but Luo Wanqing answered, "Yes."

She raised her head, meeting Li Zong's gaze without backing down. "Your Majesty, my father died unjustly, and my family was exiled. I disfigured myself to get to where I am today. Do you think it's wrong for me to do everything in my power to seek justice? Even if this is a personal case, does it cease to be an injustice simply because it involves my family?!"

"Treason," Li Zong frowned. "You are bold."

"For the crime of treason, I accept the punishment." Luo Wanqing spoke quickly. "But our family's injustice is known to all. Will Your Majesty give us an explanation?"

Li Zong paused upon hearing this. With Luo Wanqing speaking this way, he finally understood.

The Luo case had caused a stir, far beyond what Zhang Yiran alone could achieve.

From Ji Qing to the rumors about the Luo family, the Supervision Division had repeatedly intervened. He had suspected Xie Heng but never understood his motives.

After all, this case brought no benefit to Xie Heng. What was the point?

But if Liu Xiniang was Luo Wanqing, everything made sense.

This girl had entered the Supervision Division to avenge her family, meticulously bringing the case to public attention, even deceiving Xie Heng.

By revealing her true identity now, she was prepared to sacrifice her life.

Who could doubt her sincerity?

Li Zong took a deep breath and said calmly, "Very well, let's hear your account of the case. You accuse Chancellor Zheng and the Third Prince of framing your father. How did you know they were involved?"

"The evidence against Chancellor Zheng includes Ji Qing's testimony, the Zheng family jade pendant, and my father's confession, which corroborate each other."

"My father was a guest scholar of the Cui family and was implicated in their case, forcing him to hide in Jiangnan. Although the court did not punish him, to avoid trouble, he lived in seclusion and never wrote, fearing old acquaintances. The Cui family was once a prominent clan; how could my father, who couldn't write his own name, have been their guest scholar?"

Mentioning the Cui family, the officials' faces changed slightly, realizing Luo Wanqing's words were true.

For a former Cui family guest scholar, illiteracy was unlikely, and the reason for hiding his identity made sense. Though somewhat far-fetched, it was plausible for a cautious person.

"Since my father could read and write, his confession must be signed and sealed by him. Why is there only a fingerprint? This confession aligns with Ji Qing's testimony and the token in his possession, proving Chancellor Zheng's deliberate frame-up. Your Majesty should see this clearly. As for how I learned that the Third Prince and Chancellor Zheng conspired—"

Luo Wanqing looked at Li Guiyu. "The Third Prince admitted it to me personally."

Everyone turned to look at Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu, hands in his sleeves, stared at Luo Wanqing, seemingly puzzled. "Are you really my lady?"

"Can't you tell, Your Highness?"

Luo Wanqing smiled mockingly. "Your Highness claims to care deeply for Luo Wanqing. Did changing my identity make you unable to recognize me?"

"I did suspect, but Si Shi Liu always denied it..." Li Guiyu frowned, probing, "If Si Shi Liu is my lady, can you tell me what wish you made on your fifteenth birthday when releasing river lanterns?"

Luo Wanqing hesitated.

Seeing her hesitation, Li Guiyu pressed, "Does Si Shi Liu not remember or doesn't know?"

With this question, Luo Wanqing had no choice but to remember.

She took a deep breath and said, "I remember..."

Li Guiyu watched her, his eyes filled with nostalgia, as she struggled to say, "I wished to marry Jiang Shaoyan and spend my life with him, never parting."

Hearing this, Xie Heng glanced at Luo Wanqing and then looked away.

Li Guiyu slowly smiled, his eyes filled with relief. "You are indeed my lady. But since you are my lady—"

Li Guiyu looked puzzled. "Why would you lie like this? When did I admit conspiring with Chancellor Zheng?"

"When you were in Yang Zhou, we had an argument, and I stabbed you. Is that true?"

Luo Wanqing stared at Li Guiyu, continuing, "Did you not confess to forcing my father to his death? Do you remember?"

"Lady," Li Guiyu frowned, his brow furrowed with anger, "you accused me of Zheng Biyue's involvement. Despite my repeated explanations, you wouldn't listen and even injured me. I never reported it. What rumor did you believe, making you think I harmed Uncle Zheng?"

"Today, I stand here risking my life. Am I lying with my life?"

Luo Wanqing knew that arguing with Li Guiyu would yield no results, so she could only say, "I know you are meticulous and wouldn't leave any evidence, but I swear to the heavens that you did indeed say it then. It was you who forced my father to his death."

"If I had done it, why would I tell you?" Li Guiyu calmly analyzed. "If what you're saying is an admission, it means that before you saw me, you already believed I was the murderer. Only after questioning me could there be an 'admission.' I know you wouldn't falsely accuse me. Who is deceiving you, saying that I harmed your father?!"

"What about Zhou Chun?" Luo Wanqing immediately asked. "Zhou Chun admitted to me that he heard you speaking to him before my father died, telling him to commit suicide to save our family. Can you deny that you said this?!"

"Zhou Chun? The Yangzhou Prefect Zhou Chun? Is he the one deceiving you?" Li Guiyu showed anger on his face and immediately said, "Bring him here to confront me. I did meet Lord Luo, but it was to save him, not to force him! Miss, we have known each other for five years. How can you believe him instead of me?"

Luo Wanqing remained silent, calmly meeting Li Guiyu's gaze, watching him act, and couldn't help but sneer.

Li Guiyu showed a look of sorrow. "Miss doesn't believe me?"

"Your Majesty," Luo Wanqing ignored Li Guiyu and turned to Li Zong, bowing. "The commoner has said all she needed to say. Apart from my testimony against the Third Prince, there is no other evidence. But how could a commoner overturn the actions of a prince and a minister? Yet, most witnesses in this case have disappeared. With this alone, I believe everyone present should understand whether this is a miscarriage of justice. The commoner impersonated a condemned prisoner, deceived the emperor, and deserves punishment. I only ask that Your Majesty clear my father's name, so that he may rest in peace."

After finishing her plea, Luo Wanqing bowed her head.

No one dared to speak. After a long silence, Song Xichao stepped forward first, without saying a word, and knelt down.

Seeing him kneel, many officials followed suit.

The court was deathly quiet, except for the sound of officials kneeling. Even some of the people present quickly followed.

Though they said nothing, their silence spoke volumes.

Finally, Xie Heng knelt down and said loudly, "Please, Your Majesty, punish Minister Zheng Pingsheng severely, investigate Prince Li Guiyu thoroughly, and deal with Commander Zheng Bikui of the Southern Sixteen Guards to appease the people."

Following Xie Heng's words, Zhang Yiran also knelt down and shouted, "Please, Your Majesty, punish the murderer to appease the people."

The voices of the officials echoed throughout the court, repeating over and over: "Punish the murderer to appease the people!"

"Punish the murderer to appease the people!"

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes amidst these voices, waiting silently for the outcome. For a long time, Li Zong remained silent.

Finally, Zheng Pingsheng laughed lightly and said, "If you want to find fault, you will always find a reason. Very well, very well. Since you all believe I am guilty, let me be guilty. But I want to ask Miss Luo, how do you think I should be judged?"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked up at Zheng Pingsheng as he spread his sleeves and sneered, "I have served the court for decades, dedicating myself to the state. Even if you all believe I made a mistake in this case, surely it doesn't warrant death?"

He then turned to Luo Wanqing and reminded her with a smile, "Luo Quanshu died by suicide, and the Luo family perished in a landslide. You, Miss Luo, are alive and well. Even if you want to take a life for a life... I have no life to give."

"But without you, how would they have died?!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran hastily interjected, "How could Miss Luo have ended up like this today?"

"What do you mean by today?" Zheng Pingsheng feigned confusion, pointing at Luo Wanqing. "Miss Luo is now a high-ranking official of the fourth rank, above most people. According to your logic, if this is because of me, she should thank me."

"Zheng Pingsheng, you are shameless!"

"You are slandering me!"

Zheng Pingsheng shouted, turning to Li Zong and staring at him. "Your Majesty, I have served you for decades. Surely you know my character. If you wish to punish me today, you might as well kill me outright. Take my head to the Zheng family in Si Prefecture and tell them you don't believe me!"

"Yes!"

Zheng Bikui shouted, "Your Majesty, kill us all from the Zheng family to give them justice!"

"You deserve to die."

Xie Heng looked coldly at Zheng Bikui. "You murdered witnesses, destroyed evidence, and dared to smash the drum in public. You show contempt for the emperor. You deserve execution. I see you've been in command of the Southern Sixteen Guards too long; your mind is clouded."

Li Zong's expression changed upon hearing this. Xie Heng glanced at him, and Li Zong understood his intention.

The Zheng family in Si Prefecture...

This was Zheng Pingsheng reminding him that he had a powerful clan behind him. Zheng Pingsheng's repeated claims of "not deserving death" were a clear indication of his limits.

Given today's situation, Zheng Pingsheng likely knew he couldn't escape punishment, but losing one official wasn't unacceptable for a powerful clan.

Xie Heng's mention of the Southern Sixteen Guards suggested that taking Zheng Bikui's position now would be reasonable, and the Zheng family wouldn't protest much.

Li Zong pondered for a moment and then addressed the crowd, "Xie Heng is right, Zheng Bikui. You have great audacity. The drum is the hope of our people. How dare you smash it in public? What do you think of the law?"

"Your Majesty, this is slander..."

"Ask these people if it is slander!" Li Zong shouted, then coldly ordered, "Guards, seize Zheng Bikui. From today onwards, the Southern Sixteen Guards will be temporarily under the command of Zhou Shan of the Northern Fourth Army. Imprison Zheng Bikui until further review."

"Your Majesty?!" Zheng Bikui looked up in shock, but Zheng Pingsheng remained calm.

Li Zong turned to Zheng Pingsheng, knowing he was prepared, and continued, "As for Zheng Pingsheng, although he judged wrongly, considering his past contributions, he will be spared from death. He will be stripped of his position and investigated. Reflect on your mistakes."

"Your Majesty?" Zhang Yiran looked up, "The Luo family lost several lives..."

"Zhang Yiran, enough!" Li Zong glared at him. "Although the Luo family suffered wrongful deaths, it was unrelated to Minister Zheng. Luo Quanshu committed suicide, and the Luo family died in a landslide. Ultimately, it was their fate. Minister Zheng is a seasoned official of three dynasties. I have done what I can for the Luo family. I know you feel wronged..."

Li Zong softened his tone slightly. "You will resume your original position, and I will remember your service."

"But..."

"Minister Zhang," Luo Wanqing stopped Zhang Yiran, who turned back in surprise. She smiled gently and pleaded, "Enough, Minister Zhang. Please stop."

"As for Luo..." Li Zong paused when Zhang Yiran fell silent, then continued more coldly, "As for Luo Wanqing, for impersonating a condemned prisoner, infiltrating the Supervision Division, rising to the rank of a fourth-grade Si Shi, abusing power for personal gain, and deceiving the emperor, she deserves severe punishment. She will be imprisoned and related accomplices will be investigated. She will be punished accordingly to deter others."

Li Zong listed her crimes, then softened his tone, "With this verdict, are you satisfied, Luo?"

"Your Majesty," Luo Wanqing sensed Li Zong's dissatisfaction and laughed. She straightened up and declared, "My family's humble lives have exchanged for Minister Zheng's position. I am satisfied!"

She bowed deeply and exclaimed, "I thank Your Majesty for your mercy!"

To say he was satisfied, to say he thanked the boundless grace of heaven.

But everyone present heard the unwillingness and despair in those words.

How could anyone be content?

Everyone starts as a child, cherished by family and friends. With the lives of several people at stake and the attention of the entire nation, how could one be content with merely securing someone else a minor official position? Who could be content?

"Unfair..."

Someone in the crowd shouted out, only to be immediately silenced by a hand over their mouth.

Yet that cry of "unfair" resonated in everyone's heart. No one dared to speak again, and the commoners knelt on the ground, trembling with anger.

Seeing this, Li Zong was also dissatisfied but refrained from saying more. He simply stated, "If there is nothing else, have them taken away separately. Let us adjourn."

With that, he rose and strode out.

As Li Zong left, the ministers dispersed. Several soldiers rushed into the hall and escorted Luo Wanqing out.

When she stood up, Luo Wanqing met Xie Heng's slight nod.

She understood that Xie Heng had his plans.

Escorted by the soldiers, she walked out of the hall. Just then, she heard a shout from behind: "Miss... Miss Luo!"

Surprised, she turned around to see Zhang Yiran being supported by Ji Qing, staggering towards her.

Luo Wanqing stopped and immediately said, "Minister Zhang, you should go see a doctor."

"Luo... Miss Wanqing," Zhang Yiran panted, looking at her earnestly. "I will definitely save you."

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but smile, her expression softening. "Minister Zhang, take care of yourself. I have my own plans."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yiran realized that Luo Wanqing's actions were not impulsive. He pursed his lips tightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "I'm sorry."

Ji Qing quickly added, "Miss Luo, I'm sorry! I... I back then..."

Ji Qing stumbled over his words, and Luo Wanqing, upon hearing him, turned to look at him calmly. "I let you go because I forgave you."

Ji Qing was stunned. Luo Wanqing's expression softened further. "Now that Master Ji has returned, I am even happier."

"Miss Luo..."

Ji Qing's voice was hoarse. A soldier nearby tentatively asked, "Si Shi Liu?"

Luo Wanqing knew these soldiers were in a difficult position; they dared not offend the Supervision Division, but they were also palace guards. She did not make it hard for them, nodded to everyone, and followed the guards away.

The guards led her into the dungeon and locked her inside. Once the door was shut, the cell became pitch black, with only a faint light falling from above.

For some reason, entering the prison brought her a sense of calm. She sat down for a moment and then heard a familiar voice from the neighboring cell: "Oh, girl."

Zhang Chunzi spoke curiously, "How did you end up here again?"

---

**Side Story**

Luo Wanqing: "Being in prison so often, I actually feel quite at ease now."

Zhang Chunzi: "I can totally relate. I love staying in the dungeon. I've been here for years!"

Today, I'll send you a 520 extra chapter. It's a bit longer than usual, so I'll split it into two parts.

**520 Extra Chapter - Shadow Envoy Incident (1)**

Luo Wanqing was summoned from the White Tiger Department.

She had been swamped with work since taking over the department. As the head, her daily tasks were much more numerous than when she was a Si Shi. Additionally, she had other concerns, making her even busier. So being called up without any reason made her quite unhappy.

When she arrived, she saw Qingya, Xuanshan, and Vermilion Bird sitting in the courtyard, drinking tea. Xie Heng was absent, and a row of young men was kneeling on the ground. Confused, she looked up and asked, "Young Master isn't here. Why did you call me?"

"If Young Master isn't here, we can't call you?"

Vermilion Bird stood up from the corridor and pulled Luo Wanqing in front of the young men. "Come, pick one."

"Pick what?"

Luo Wanqing didn't understand. Qingya laughed and explained while pouring tea, "We called you here to discuss the matter of a shadow envoy."

"A shadow envoy?" Luo Wanqing was still confused. "What shadow envoy?"

"You don't have a shadow envoy, which makes things inconvenient," Xuanshan reminded her. "You've been swamped with paperwork lately, and the Censorate keeps pushing you, so we decided—"

"To find you a shadow envoy."

Vermilion Bird pointed to the row of young men. "Look, these are all elites we picked from our ranks. Choose one."

Luo Wanqing's heart skipped a beat. She instinctively asked, "Does Young Master know about this?"

"Do we need to tell him about such a small matter?" Vermilion Bird asked, puzzled. Luo Wanqing couldn't respond and just stared at the young men on the ground.

The Supervision Division had more men than women, and there wasn't a single female Si Shi among them.

She hesitated, thinking of how to refuse. Vermilion Bird enthusiastically pointed to a young man with a high ponytail. "Look at this one. He's a quiet one from our Vermilion Bird division. His name is Zhuge Yun, and he's excellent at writing all kinds of documents. This one is Fu Youwei from the Black Tortoise division, and his handwriting is particularly neat. That one is Sun Jianglan, who is very smart and efficient..."

"What are you doing?"

Before she could finish her sentence, Xie Heng's voice came from the room. Everyone turned to look and saw Xie Heng adjusting the Qianji in his hand as he walked out.

Everyone bowed in greeting, and Xuanshan made way for Xie Heng. Xie Heng glanced at the youths kneeling on the ground, then at Luo Wanqing. He twirled the Qianji in his hand and sat down in the corridor, saying coldly, "What are you doing here while I'm resting?"

"We're picking a Yingshi for Liu Sishi."

Vermilion Bird spoke bluntly, and the atmosphere immediately chilled. Qingya lowered his head to drink tea, but Vermilion Bird and Xuanshan seemed oblivious. Vermilion Bird sighed and complained, "Liu Sishi has always fought alone since joining the Supervision Division. The previous Yingshi..."

Vermilion Bird glanced at Xie Heng and said tactfully, "wasn't very useful. It was fine when there were fewer tasks, but now with so many, it's unfair to let Liu Sishi handle everything alone."

"Mainly because she can't finish them."

Xuanshan said coldly, "Her documents are gibberish."

"That, Sishi Xuanshan," Luo Wanqing forced a smile and spoke, "I just need some time to get familiar with the document format..."

"So find a Yingshi." Vermilion Bird immediately said, "Find someone who can write well. What do you think, Young Master?"

Xie Heng remained silent, only twirling the Qianji. He looked up at Luo Wanqing and asked, "What does Xiniang think?"

Luo Wanqing hesitated, finding it hard to speak. She had to admit that everyone's words were quite tempting.

She disliked writing documents and preferred fieldwork. Having someone to handle paperwork would be a relief.

Xie Heng saw her thoughts and nodded, asking, "Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Zhuge Yun, Zhuge Yun." Vermilion Bird whispered.

Luo Wanqing looked at Zhuge Yun kneeling on the ground and hesitantly said, "This Yingshi Zhuge..."

"His handwriting is not good."

Xie Heng reminded her. Luo Wanqing turned to the second person and tentatively said, "Then... Yingshi Fu..."

"He misuses allusions."

"How about Yingshi Sun..."

"He likes borrowing money and not paying it back."

...

For every Yingshi Luo Wanqing mentioned, Xie Heng pointed out a flaw. By the time they finished, he had exposed the shortcomings of all the Yingshis kneeling on the ground.

Vermilion Bird was stunned and couldn't help saying, "Young Master really cares about us. In that case, let's choose Zhuge Yun." Vermilion Bird clapped her hands and said seriously, "Although his handwriting is a bit messy, he's very reliable. Plus, he's handsome, which will make Liu Sishi happy!"

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn't help but take another look at Zhuge Yun. The youth looked stern and dependable.

Seeing her glance, Xie Heng lowered his eyes and twirled the Qianji in his hand, saying, "Since Liu Sishi wants this Yingshi Zhuge, keep him. The previous one wasn't useful anyway, fortunately, he died."

Luo Wanqing looked over without saying much, imagining the joy of not having to write documents anymore. She bowed and said, "Thank you, Young Master."

Xie Heng twirled the Qianji faster, his face cold. "Go do your work."

Luo Wanqing didn't say more, bowed, and gestured for Zhuge Yun to follow her.

Zhuge Yun immediately followed Luo Wanqing as they left together. Xie Heng looked up, then turned away, suppressing his emotions.

Xuanshan glanced at the Qianji on Xie Heng's wrist and couldn't help reminding him, "Young Master, stop twirling it; it's almost smoking."

Xie Heng looked up, not sure whom to scold, and said, "Mind your own business."

He stood up and turned to leave.